- adult patients with chronic HBV infection (HBsAg-positivity for at least six months and HBeAg-positivity for at least three months) and serum HBV DNA levels ≥1000000 copies/ml (Cobas Amplicor HBV Monitor assay) at screening as well as serum ALT levels >1.3 times the ULN (43 IU/L) on at least two occasions in the previous 6 months and at screening.